318 Systematic Paleontology — Middle Devonian 



being much stronger as in S. geneva. In general appearance and surface 

 markings it is very similar to some specimens of the Dictyospongidae and 

 the writer at first regarded it as a new species of the genus Ceratodictya 

 and related to C. annulata (Hall)/ The specimen, however, was later 

 sent to Dr. J. M. Clarke, in whose honor the specific name is given, who 

 referred it to the genus Spyroceras and this identification is accepted by 

 the writer. Dr. Clarke wrote the following note concerning this speci- 

 men : " Notwithstanding the remarkable similarity between this speci- 

 men and the typical forms of the dietyosponge, Ceratodictya {C. annu- 

 lata and 0. centeta) the characters of the exterior lead me to the con- 

 viction that it is not a sponge but an Orthoceras. These features favor 

 this view : the longitudinal ridges are too regularly continuous and 

 equidistant and they are caught up slightly where crossed by the con- 

 centric lines. Interstitial lines almost fail except where developed by 

 compression. In a sponge these should be as evident as the major lines. 

 The prevailing ornament in Orthoceras of the Dawsonoceras and 

 Spyroceras types approaches very closely the reticulation of a dietyo- 

 sponge; but compare with this specimen my Orthoceras (Spyroceras) 

 geneva (Onondaga limestone) in 13th Eept. N. Y. Geologist." 



Occurrence. — Romney Fokmation, Hamilton Member. Ernstville. 



Collection. — Maryland G^eological Survey. 



Suborder CYRTOCHOANITES 

 Family PHRAGMOCERATIDAE 



Genus GOMPHOCERAS Sowerby 



Cf. Gomphoceeas pingue Hall 

 Plate XLII, Figs. 1, 2 



Gomphoceras pingue Hall, 1879, Pal. N. Y., vol. v, pt. ii, p. 346, pi. xciv, fig. 9; 



pi. xcv, fig. 6. 

 Oomphoceras pingue Clarke, 1903, N. Y. State Mus., Bull. 65, p. 593. 



Description. — Gomphoceras pingue was described by Hall as follows : 

 " Shell small, gibbous, slightly arcuate ; transverse section very broadly 



'15th An. Rep. State Geologist [N. Y.l, vol. ii, 1898 [1899], p. 860, pi. 22, 

 figs. 3-6. 



